Does anyone know if the parking brake on an ML 430 is adjustable? I have noticed a little slack in the brake and didn't know if they were self adjusting and maxxed out.

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Steve32

yep, both rear brakes have parking brake shoes that are adjusted thru a lug hole on the rotor. I would suggest a small screwdriver and a good flashlight. On the drivers side, if memory serves me right, the star wheel is located about four o'clock. Can't remember which way was tightening/loosening.

Probably the best way is to spin the star wheel till you feel the shoes contacting the rotor and then back off a couple of clicks. I have mine adjusted where you don't have full engagement until parking brake is pretty much down to the floor, but it will still hold on a steep hill in neutral.

Good luck, its pretty tough to find the adjustment wheel..I noticed it when I replaced the rear rotors. Once found, its an easy adjustment.

My experience,

I took my ML at 70K to the stealer to adjust parking break because it was too low. They told me that there is no adjustment. They had to put new shoes for $400! So I agreed. The parking break then were as low as they were before. They said that about 10K I can bring the truck back for adjustment. I said that was what I brough the truck for in the first place. They said sorry, I said FU.

Now at 90K the parking break is as low as it was at 70K miles after waisting $400.

Rene

On the ML430, adjust as follows:

Remove wheel
get flashlight and look thru lug hole (on the left rear wheel, I believe just slghtly below or above the 3:00 position...on the right rear right around the 9:00 position)
You will see the star adjustment
whatever direction you move the star to tighten with a small screwdriver thru the lug hole, it will be the opposite for the other side
I bought Raybestos 777PG parking brake shoes for $30 (included $7 shipping). They were identical to the original MB with the exception of the 3 point star. IDENTICAL in every respect including all the numbers stamped into the metal parts.

A MB document I have says tighted the adjusting wheel until the brake shoes abut the parking brake drum and the rear wheel or the brake disk can no longer be turned completely freely by hand. Turn back the adjusting wheel until the ....can be turned completely freely by hand. When releasing the adjusting wheels, ensure the left and right adjusting wheels are turned back by the same numer of teeth (approx. 5 teeth).

Hope this helps.

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Jim

Thank you all. RRODZ, I wish you better luck with dealers.

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Steve32

I saw some cable and adjustable mechanism (a one forth notchy plate) under the truck between the frames. Can that also be used to adjust the slack in the packing brake cable? Or is it something totally unrelated to parking brakes?